Thank you Gina for helping me change my relationship with food and wine! Through this journey you have taught me how to live a long, healthy, independent, joyful life. You have helped me find my “WHY” in this process which gave me the reason to push hard to achieve my weight loss goal. I embraced using MFP to track the food I put into my body which keeps me focused on purchasing and preparing only what I will eat. No unhealthy processed foods in my pantry anymore!

Kathy Morello, MGL Client

I just wanted to write and thank you for your commitment and passion to this important work of health advocacy.

When we had our first one on one (October 2021) , we discussed my cholesterol numbers. They were very high and, while I was aware of it, I was not taking it seriously enough. [Mama G] suggested a long list of tests to be done – I did most of the tests, but waited on those last two thinking my change in diet would solve 90% of my problem. After 4 months on MamaG, my LDL dropped 40 pts to 144. Still high, but I was very pleased. I was referred to a Cardiologist [and that served as] a wake-up call! Had I continued to casually treat my high cholesterol, I’m sure I would have had serious health problems in the very near future. So, your words were prophetic. You were put in my life to save my life. So any day you feel like you are not reaching folks, or not motivating them enough… just know that you are in fact touching people in a profound and important way.

Mary Soria, MGL Client

Last year, in June 2021, a dear friend suggested that I watch a Free (4-week) Webinar Series called “Kickstart to Weight Loss.” So I watched Mama G, aka Gina Cousineau. I respected her nutrition knowledge, science-based facts, chef skills, and her genuine caring personality. I then signed up for the July 2021 twelve-week Jumpstart Program, and my journey began. I learned that my biggest challenge was to change my mindset and old eating habit patterns. 

Renee Wilson, MGL Client

“I’m a lifer to MGL! I love it because I treat myself with respect and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I take care of myself. I’m not starving or deprived. I also allow a treat now and then. By treating myself right, I lost 25 lbs and kept it off for over 2+ years. I struggled to lose any weight for years. I thought it was my metabolism due to my thyroid.

Truth…. My metabolism sucked because I either didn’t eat or didn’t eat balanced. It makes sense! I wish I could convince others how easy it is, but so many are caught up in marketing lies! My favorite thing about MGL is being a part of a supportive group. Accountability is key. And it is inspiring to see posts from my peers.”

Stacy Wagner, MGL Client

I have ‘struggled’ to not lose weight, let alone gain weight, for many years because I chose to eat my version of “healthy” (vegetarian, little dairy, occasional fish, small portions). Now, after 3 months of total commitment to the Mama G Lifestyle, I know how unhealthy my diet was: extremely deficient in calories and nutrition, limited, and boring. I am slowly gaining weight, eating MUCH more food, diversifying my diet, and enjoying cooking. I have learned a lot about my body and energy use, and I respect my body in ways I had not before. Now I prioritize me, and I’m not going to let myself down. When I let myself down, I let down others.

Barbara Helton, MGL Client

In Dec 2020, I realized I needed to change, as hard as I tried, I could not shake the COVID fatigue or lose weight! I needed to learn how to lose weight and get healthier. I called Mama G’s Lifestyle and was welcomed into her program. I learned to cook (I know, amazing!!) why and what healthy eating means, and encouraged (sometimes pushed!) to exercise regularly. The more I worked on my new lifestyle the better I felt physically and emotionally. I reached my goal weight in September 2021.

Sue Nunn, MGL Client

It was a work in progress, the result of which is Mama G’s Lifestyle. I have been a “dieter” all my life. I don’t think I’ve ever said that out loud. But I yo yo diet. I have lost and gained the same 20 pounds probably every other year for the last ten years. I have tried every diet in the book. And they all work. All of them; Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, NutriSystem…okay, I never did Keto because I’m not good with the whole “eliminate a food group thing”. But diet plans work, as long as you stick with them. The problem with all these programs is that there is little to no education and you cannot stick with them, they are not a lifestyle change. What Gina teaches is a lifestyle change. I have learned what a healthy plate looks like, and how to spot things on menus that will fit Mama G’s lifestyle.

Felicia Watkins, MGL Client

I started with the MG Lifestyle in August 2018. Two major things have changed for me…I am not afraid anymore because I realized not trying was way worse and the second is, when I cook(not my favorite thing to do) I love the way it tastes and the way it brings the family together! Over the course of the last 2 years friends have asked what diet I did?? I say, not a diet but a lifestyle change and they ponder. I believe people are fearful of the unknown, as I was, and so many want a quick fix. The reality is that if you don’t change your way of thinking and your approach to food and exercise, it won’t last! When I began I really was after losing the extra pounds and keeping it off so that I could be more active for the long haul.️ I lost the weight pretty quickly and maintained…since March it has definitely become harder at times and due to some major back issues my exercise was put on hold. As of 2 weeks ago I am focused on my daily routine again and I am looking forward to a healthy and strong Body, Soul and Mind!

Kim Tyler, MGL Client

Prior to this journey I found myself over eating, not watching my calorie intake, as I really just didn’t pay attention to my diet. I have since changed my life. Not only have I lost weight (under 200lbs) first time in 25 years, my blood work this past August was the best it has been in 25 years. The MGL changed my outlook on many things, and setting goals and objectives really helped. Food and fitness are now important with my daily life and routine.

Scott Taylor, MGL Client

What I love about MGL is I feel great all the time. I have more energy now because I’m actually eating more food which gives me energy to be able to sustain my crazy life, workouts and manage my small children. I recently got blood work after being with this lifestyle for a year and the numbers are better than my blood work before kids. Lastly another big reason is that eating this way is not a restrictive way of life, it’s actually very freeing. I can have carbs, any type of cuisine, eat what I’m in the mood for.

Nicole Bharne, MGL Client

I tell everyone I know who asks “how did you lose so much weight” the truth…I eat real whole foods in the proper proportions and I engage in purposeful exercise most days of the week…as prescribed by the MGL. It’s simple, which is different than easy. It takes effort, and time, but I am worth it. So is my family. I am forever grateful that Gina dropped me into the group way back in the day, just to observe. I didn’t plan to buy in because I was having “success” in my latest restrictive diet plan. When I saw what I could be eating on MGL, instead of Lean Cuisine frozen entree’s, I decided to give it a try. So glad I did!

Michelle Suggs, MGL Client

I was not the client who joined MGL for weight loss, but I wanted to feel good, get some cooking tips, and see what Gina had to say! I got so much more! You see, I’ve always tried to eat “healthy.” But one of the most significant aha moments was that what I was most likely doing was depriving my body of the nutrients I needed, for example, not eating enough calories. From Mama G, I now understand how to put my meals together using a Healthy Plate approach. I learned it’s ok to eat carbs, cheese, bread, etc., but the correct amount paired with the right amount of protein, veggies, fruits, etc. It’s really a science how our foods work together to nourish our bodies—reading food labels while at the store has become a habit!

Dana Hurlbut, MGL Client

June 2021 I decided to do something about [my lifestyle] after finally getting the courage to look at my 2020 Christmas pictures and hating the person that I was seeing. We found Mama G through a Facebook friend and my wife and I decided to join. The first couple of weeks were hard because I was used to eating pastries daily, sometimes twice a day, but Gina was always there to support me and guide me. For the first 3 months I only cooked Mama G recipes, and the food was amazing. My wife who is a picky eater was eating vegetables and it wasn’t long before we started feeling like new. We both had more energy, our cravings were going away and the scale was going down. The biggest benefit was seeing my toddler eat all the vegetables I was putting in front of him with the Mama G recipes.

Hector Pantoja, MGL Client

I am a lifelong dieter. If I needed to lose 10-15 lbs, I would revert back to the old dieting paradigm and food restriction and punitive diets were my “go-to” for weight loss, but as I entered my mid-50s, those approaches no longer worked. In late September 2021, I had my free 30min conversation with Gina. In that time, I learned a) I had no idea how many calories I consumed each day, b) while I was heavier than I wanted to be, I was most likely malnourished, c) there were very few fruits and vegetables in my current diet. We also discussed my high Cholesterol numbers and the importance of getting that number down. I signed up at that moment and have NEVER been more excited to start a diet! I started the Jumpstart program on October 1, 2021.

Mary Soria, MGL Client

One thing Gina asks of her clients is to get current with your blood work. Each year, I perform a health check and have been told for years, my HDL is so good, it outweighs my bad LDL. Luckily, Gina and my doctor did not agree with this logic, given my family history of heart disease and stroke. By beginning a statin medication, along with following the Mama G Lifestyle, after 10 weeks, my overall cholesterol is right in line, and I reduced my LDL from 217 to 67! My doctor said he’d never seen such a drastic drop and urged me to continue the statin (for now) and the MGL.

Liz Nawojski, MGL Client

The top reasons I love the MGL are accountability, healthy recipes, eating healthy food in proper amounts of Proteins, Carbs and Fats, properly tracking my food, and strength training for my health. The MGL has changed my life by providing a nice support system to maintain this lifestyle, teaching me the benefits of weight lifting, and allowed me to successfully maintain both eating right and getting my body stronger physically.

Lisa Foto, MGL Client

The formula for meals and snacks that Mama G has developed has made it so simple to plan and enjoy my food. It can almost be done without thinking about it…. especially when using the quick and easy breakfast and snack ideas. Our lunches and dinners are almost always Mama G recipes because I know if I just eat my correct serving size of the recipe that I am getting the correct calories, macro and micronutrients. Over a month and a half, I have lost the 5 lingering pounds without feeling deprived. I have had energy for my days. I have eaten well. I’m now at the point where I feel like I can purposefully add in a treat on occasions without guilt.

Mary Carrillo, MGL Client

I love MGL because it has liberated my family from the constant struggle of being overweight! We as a family of four have lost over 225 in 7 1/2 months!! MGL has changed our lives in so many ways. We now have the knowledge, mentor and desire to live Mama G’s lifestyle for ever!! Added bonus are the delicious recipes that Gina provides…she does all the hard work. We just shop and cook!! I refer anyone that asks what I’ve done – I tell them about the best lifestyle ever – MGL!

Marianne B., MGL Client

“I love the MGL for helping with my gut health and teaching me to eat the proper ratio of carbs, protein & fats. I just feel amazing on the Mama G’s lifestyle! I love that the MGL has helped me to maintain my weight.

The best part is the support of Gina and I know that I can contact her with any questions I may have. I truly came to the MGL for the delicious recipes. I now know I will get to live a healthy independent life for as long as I can and that directly relates to my nutrition. I still struggle with getting all of my nutrients through food instead of relying on supplements which Gina has been a huge help on.”

Julie Minnick, MGL Client

Before Mama G’s program, I was not a cook. Eating out allowed me to eat small plates as my healthy eating plan. When COVID hit and eating out was not an option, I was determined to learn how to cook but my weight continued to climb! The weight gain led me to call Mama G and ask for help. At the beginning of the 12week Mama G’s Lifestyle Jumpstart program, I had one goal in mind – to lose weight. In the Mama G Lifestyle program, I learned a whole new approach to my life. Weight loss became secondary to living a healthy life with exercise and eating healthy. My meals were more than filling, and I was not looking for popcorn or other late-night snacks to fill me up at the end of the day. I wake up looking forward to a healthy breakfast.

Sue Nunn, MGL Client

I decided to join the Jumpstart program for many reasons. I had just fully retired from a demanding volunteer job and felt tired and unwell. I also wanted to lose weight. My younger daughter was pregnant, and I was already worried about keeping up with my older daughter’s kiddos, much less a new baby. In addition, I was excited about learning how to cook, a task I never enjoyed during my career or child-rearing days. Now I finally had the time to focus on preparing healthy meals for my husband and myself. Even if I didn’t lose weight or gain strength, I figured I’d pick up a few tricks and expand my repertoire beyond “breakfast for dinner”.

Patricia Holloway, MGL Client